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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 LA PAZ 002910
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2016
TAGS: PARMECONSNARPRELPGOVBL
SUBJECT: VP, AMBASSADOR DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE BILATERAL
TIES
Classified By: Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).
¶1. (C) Summary: In their first meeting since the Ambassador
presented his credentials October 13, the Ambassador and Vice
President Alvaro Garcia Linera engaged in a cordial exchange
October 26 on U.S. assistance, extension of ATPDEA benefits,
Morales' anti-American discourse, military relations and
counternarcotics. The vice president opened the meeting
warmly, saying that his recent visit to a USAID fair had
provided him with a valuable education about U.S. assistance
in Bolivia. With respect to President Bush's announcement in
support of an ATPDEA extension for the region, the vice
president said the GOB is "very happy and grateful" for this
"friendly sign" from the United States. The Ambassador told
Garcia Linera that the best way forward for the GOB would be
to not only lower, but to improve, its public discourse
toward the United States. The Ambassador also cautioned
Garcia Linera that Bolivia's relationships with other
countries have consequences. The vice president said he
hoped the Ambassador would rely on him as an "instant
messenger" for any communications with the GOB in order to
avoid missteps in the relationship. On mil-mil relations,
Garcia Linera said he hoped to remove the F-10
counterterrorism matter and the MANPADS issue from the
bilateral agenda, although he said the missiles transfer
would continue to be an internal issue. On counternarcotics,
the Ambassador said that voluntary eradication is ideal, but
said that the GOB would have to show quick results.
Following the meeting, the Ambassador and the vice president
held a joint press conference, the first of its kind since
Morales took office in January. Despite the recent ups and
downs in the bilateral relationship, Garcia Linera appeared
to be putting on his best face for the Ambassador. End
summary.
-------------------------------------
U.S. ASSISTANCE: A PLEASANT SURPRISE
-------------------------------------
¶2. (C) The vice president opened the meeting warmly, saying
that while he had been familiar with the amount of U.S.
assistance, his visit to a recent USAID fair had provided him
with a valuable education about its "characteristics."
Garcia Linera was particularly impressed with USAID's
microenterprise and agricultural assistance, which he said
directly help many poor Bolivians. Garcia Linera also noted
the Ambassador's October 25 book and equipment donations in
the Altiplano. The Ambassador said he hopes to continue
traveling in order to demonstrate our desire to assist
Bolivians with their development efforts, as well as to
improve Bolivians' understanding of the United States. He
expressed concern that many Bolivians' image of the United
States is outdated, and that we are in fact a very dynamic
country that understands well the struggle to overcome
social, political and economic exclusion.
--------------------------------------------- ------
U.S. EXECUTIVE BRANCH SUPPORT FOR ATPDEA EXTENSION
--------------------------------------------- ------
¶3. (C) With respect to President Bush's announcement in
support of an ATPDEA extension for the region, the vice
president said the GOB is "very happy and grateful" for this
"friendly sign" from the United States. The Ambassador
complimented the vice president's October 25 comments on
ATPDEA, saying that he was prudent to caution the Bolivian
people that the matter will be decided by the U.S. Congress.
The Ambassador told the vice president that President Bush's
support is an example of our desire to improve relations with
Bolivia. Garcia Linera stressed that in the absence of free
trade negotiations, ATPDEA is of critical importance to
Bolivia. The vice president acknowledged former Ambassador
LA PAZ 00002910 002 OF 005
Greenlee's advice to the GOB on ATPDEA, saying that he hoped
that the Ambassador would continue in the same vein.
---------------------------------------------
REINFORCING THE MESSAGE: PLEASE LOWER THE TONE
---------------------------------------------
¶4. (C) The Ambassador told Garcia Linera that the best way
forward for the GOB would be to not only lower, but to
improve, its public discourse toward the United States. He
cautioned that President Morales' anti-American remarks may
damage Bolivia's chances for an ATPDEA extension. The
Ambassador explained that before his arrival at post, he
participated in counternarcotics certification conversations,
in which he said there were serious questions about
recertifying Bolivia. If we hadn't certified, the Ambassador
said, we wouldn't be talking about an ATPDEA extension now.
The Ambassador told the vice president that he offered the
president, the minister of the presidency and the foreign
minister the same counsel-- that the GOB needs to lower its
tone. He said the USG cannot compartmentalize its foreign
policy, but looks at the overall relationship. The
Ambassador said that by accusing the USG and the Embassy of
conspiracy and assassination attempts, the GOB had fallen
well below the accepted norms of diplomatic and political
discourse.
¶5. (C) Garcia Linera attempted to defend Morales'
anti-American rhetoric, saying that the president's history
with the United States was one of "distance and conflict."
He said the GOB wants to turn the page but that "the history
is still there," although "each time less." The vice
president said the GOB wants to close the era of mistrust
definitively, saying that Morales' trip to the United States
for the United Nations General Assembly was a big step
forward in this regard. He said the trip enabled Morales to
see the "human" side of our country, and that it was
important for Morales to see the United States as an open,
pluralistic society. He said the president was "excited"
when he returned, energized by the personal contact with
Americans he had had in the United States. The vice
president said he "celebrated" Morales' trip and described
the bilateral relationship following it as "closer,
friendlier." Garcia Linera said he hopes that Morales will
visit the United States again soon. The visit aside, Garcia
Linera said he could not "guarantee" that Morales would not
suffer a rhetorical relapse, but promised to try. He said
that he had asked Ambassador Greenlee for a "good dose of
patience" and asked Ambassador Goldberg for the same as a
"very personal request." Garcia Linera said the GOB is "not
looking for confrontation or tension." He said that once in
a while, "fissures will open, things surface, but we want to
expand and improve relations."
------------------------------
CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS CAREFULLY
------------------------------
¶6. (C) Along the same lines, the Ambassador cautioned Garcia
Linera that Bolivia's relationship with other countries may
have consequences. He said Bolivia's relations are Bolivia's
business, but that the GOB should be aware that they can
impact its relations with other countries, including the
United States. The Ambassador offered the example of a
recent anti-American speech by the Venezuelan ambassador,
with Morales at his side. The Ambassador added that no one in
the diplomatic corps seems to have met the Venezuelan
ambassador, a signal that raises questions about the
Venezuelan's activities here. Garcia Linera said he
understood and said "we don't need" those consequences.
Likewise, the Ambassador suggested that the GOB be careful
not to interfere in the democratic processes of neighboring
countries, citing a press report that Morales and Ecuador's
LA PAZ 00002910 003 OF 005
"legitimate president" Rafael Correa would speak at an
October 26 event supporting Bolivia's "revolution" (septel).
The Ambassador said respect for Ecuador's democratic process
could only help Bolivia's international image. Garcia Linera
appeared to take the Ambassador's comment on board,
responding that the GOB was not funding the conference.
-------------------
YOU CAN TALK TO ME
-------------------
¶7. (C) The vice president said he hoped the Ambassador would
rely on him as an "instant messenger" for any communications
with the GOB in order to avoid missteps in the relationship.
Garcia Linera said, "Don't doubt me as a channel for
anything." He encouraged the Ambassador to pass him
criticisms and observations, and to call him at any hour or
to ask for a meeting with him or the president on short
notice. Garcia Linera referred to a recent GOB experience
with bad intelligence (presumably on the subject of U.S.
students in Bolivia whom the GOB alleged were undercover U.S.
military operatives), saying that if a similar situation
presents itself, the president would like to call the
Ambassador to confirm the information. Garcia Linera
lamented that at the time of that incident, the GOB "didn't
have a bridge" to the Embassy, leading the president to keep
the information to himself and then to speak about it
publicly. Garcia Linera admitted that was "their mistake" and
that they have to work against susceptibility to certain
types of information.
¶8. (C) The Ambassador thanked the vice president for his
offer and agreed to contact him with any questions or
concerns. He also encouraged Garcia Linera to call him,
particularly before publicly accusing the USG of any
wrongdoing. The Ambassador stressed that the USG has not
reacted publicly to Morales' accusations because of our
desire to improve relations. In turn, Garcia Linera said he
would welcome the Ambassador's counsel on how the GOB could
improve the bilateral relationship. The vice president
admitted the GOB had been skeptical about former Ambassador
Greenlee's advice in this regard--and had even debated about
whether Greenlee's advice was good. Garcia Linera said in
the end, they had accepted the Embassy's advice in good faith
and had been pleasantly surprised.
-------------------------------------------
MILITARY RELATIONS: VP WANTS TO STRENGTHEN
-------------------------------------------
¶9. (C) In response to the Ambassador's stated desire to
improve mil-mil relations (despite Article 98 restrictions),
Garcia Linera said he hoped to remove the F-10
counterterrorism matter and the MANPADS issue from the
bilateral agenda, although he said the missiles transfer
would continue to be an internal issue. Garcia Linera said
Bolivian forces are no longer using the F-10 arms and that
plans are underway to transfer them to permit U.S access.
The Ambassador said he was optimistic about resolving that
issue and hoped that we could do the same with the missiles
transfer, despite the political complexities of that issue.
Garcia Linera said that while he understands the U.S.
position, the pending "internal investigation" of President
Rodriguez and other GOB officials would not be resolved
quickly.
¶10. (C) The Ambassador also said that we would like to do
more in the area of military education and exchanges. Garcia
Linera welcomed the overture, adding that he would like to
take up the full range of military cooperation prohibited by
Article 98 later. The Ambassador gently reminded Garcia
Linera that the GOB should ratify the agreement so they could
give him access. Finally, Garcia Linera expressed great
LA PAZ 00002910 004 OF 005
interest in the milgroup's New Horizons exercise planned for
2007, as well as other civil works. The Ambassador explained
that we are asking the GOB to sign a new Status of Forces
Agreement to make such projects possible, and that we have
already raised the subject with the ministries of defense,
presidency and foreign relations.
-------------------------------------------
COUNTERNARCOTICS: AN INITIAL CONVERSATION
-------------------------------------------
¶11. (C) On counternarcotics, the Ambassador said of course
the USG would like to see the GOB's voluntary eradication
program work, but said the GOB would have to show quick
results. The Ambassador said that while he realized coca is
a sensitive topic domestically, it is in both countries'
interest to work together to fight drug trafficking. He told
Garcia Linera that it would be impossible for the USG to
support the GOB's coca ideology (e.g. industrialization and
legalization), suggesting instead that the two governments
focus on their common interest in stopping the flow of drugs.
He also told the vice president that President Morales'
ill-informed statements on U.S. drug use were not helpful.
The Ambassador told Garcia Linera that the United States has
worked hard to lower drug consumption, but that consumption
is up in Europe and is a growing problem in Brazil and
Bolivia. Garcia Linera described eradication as
"complicated," but noted that the Morales government is
eradicating in many new areas. Garcia Linera made a subtle
pitch for increased U.S. counternarcotics assistance, saying
the GOB needs additional eradicators. If not, he said, we
will see an increase in narcotrafficking. The Ambassador
suggested they discuss counternarcotics strategies in depth
soon, and noted that the October 28 arrival of INL Deputy
Assistant Secretary Christy McCampbell would present an
immediate opportunity for further dialogue.
-----------------------
A UNITED PUBLIC FRONT
-----------------------
¶12. (C) Following the meeting, the Ambassador and the vice
president held a joint press conference at the Ambassador's
urging, the first of its kind since Morales took office in
January. Like the meeting, the tone of the press conference
was warm. The vice president publicly thanked the Ambassador
for his visit, describing it as "cordial." Garcia Linera
said he and the Ambassador had discussed "steps forward" on
many issues of mutual interest, and cited the GOB's will and
his own personal commitment to "expand and improve" relations
with the United States, particularly in order to promote
democracy and fight poverty and drug trafficking.
--------------------------------
COMMENT: STARTING A NEW CHAPTER
--------------------------------
¶13. (C) Despite the recent ups and downs in the bilateral
relationship, Garcia Linera appeared to be putting on his
best face for the Ambassador. During the hour-long meeting,
the two talked about the president's birthday (October 26),
which a crowd of supporters commemorated with fireworks
(causing an occasional noisy interruption to the otherwise
smooth conversation) and a toy donation ceremony for Bolivian
children. (Note: Garcia Linera said the president was
delighted to give the children toys because he had played
with sheep bones as a child in eocnomically-depressed Oruro.
End note). Garcia Linera seemed relaxed and pleased to start
anew with the USG, even responding to the Ambassador's
invitation to use first names by telling the Ambassador to
"call me Alvaro." Garcia Linera said he had been very
attentive to Ambassador Goldberg's words and gestures since
he arrived, implying his approval of his new interlocutor.
LA PAZ 00002910 005 OF 005
End comment.
GOLDBERG